Shelf Life: Media from Then and Now for Readers in the Sacramento Region
Oct 02, 2015 03:53PM ● By Sharon Penny
Photos courtesy of Chris Foster
ALBUMS
THEN: Dangerous—Michael Jackson
August 29 marked what would have been Michael Jackson’s 57th birthday, and I chose that day to dig back into 1991’s Dangerous—an album that’s full of great jams. Put on “Remember the Time” and tell me it’s not a dance classic; or, for a real floor-carver, throw it on at a party.
NOW:
Unbreakable—Janet Jackson
Janet (Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty) is granting my wish in 2015 with a brand new album. The release of Unbreakable, Janet Jackson’s first studio album in seven years, also marks the 30th anniversary of her groundbreaking collaboration with producer/songwriter team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on 1985’s Control. Featuring guests Missy Elliot and J. Cole, Janet will also open up about the loss of her brother Michael.
NOW:
Janet (Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty) is granting my wish in 2015 with a brand new album. The release of Unbreakable, Janet Jackson’s first studio album in seven years, also marks the 30th anniversary of her groundbreaking collaboration with producer/songwriter team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on 1985’s Control. Featuring guests Missy Elliot and J. Cole, Janet will also open up about the loss of her brother Michael.
BOOKS
THEN: Life by Keith Richards
Co-authored by journalist James Fox, Life perfectly captures “Keef’s” voice and lust for life. It’s like you’re sitting next to him as he spins yarn after yarn, some funny, some sad, some awful and some tragic. There’s an endearing amount of normality mixed in with his flaws and eccentricities, and despite his icon status he’s not afraid of being human.
NOW:
M Train by Patti Smith
Patti Smith’s previous memoirs Just Kids, about her life with Robert Mapplethorpe, won the National Book Award in 2010. This new memoirs reflects on her journey through the 18 “stations” of her life and various turning points, illustrated by her own black and white polaroids. Full disclosure: Patti’s my hero. She’s great.
Co-authored by journalist James Fox, Life perfectly captures “Keef’s” voice and lust for life. It’s like you’re sitting next to him as he spins yarn after yarn, some funny, some sad, some awful and some tragic. There’s an endearing amount of normality mixed in with his flaws and eccentricities, and despite his icon status he’s not afraid of being human.
NOW:
Patti Smith’s previous memoirs Just Kids, about her life with Robert Mapplethorpe, won the National Book Award in 2010. This new memoirs reflects on her journey through the 18 “stations” of her life and various turning points, illustrated by her own black and white polaroids. Full disclosure: Patti’s my hero. She’s great.
DVDs
THEN: The Hills Have Eyes
Halloween has always been Wes Craven’s holiday, but after his recent passing, now more than ever is the time for a Wes Craven celebration. Obviously revisiting the classics like Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream are key, but you would be remiss to leave out one of his ultimate horror classics: The Hills Have Eyes, the movie that inspired an entire genre of “wrong turn into cannibal crazy town.”
Halloween has always been Wes Craven’s holiday, but after his recent passing, now more than ever is the time for a Wes Craven celebration. Obviously revisiting the classics like Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream are key, but you would be remiss to leave out one of his ultimate horror classics: The Hills Have Eyes, the movie that inspired an entire genre of “wrong turn into cannibal crazy town.”
NOW:
Insidious Chapter 3
The third movie in the Insidious franchise is no slouch in the scare department, and director Leigh Whannell, writer of the first two Insidious movies as well as Saw I-III, definitely has the horror chops to pull off the scares. Fire up the popcorn maker, turn off all the lights, and get ready to jump out of your skin!
The third movie in the Insidious franchise is no slouch in the scare department, and director Leigh Whannell, writer of the first two Insidious movies as well as Saw I-III, definitely has the horror chops to pull off the scares. Fire up the popcorn maker, turn off all the lights, and get ready to jump out of your skin!